SMP National Guard

There are aspects to SMP that I don't understand, which has made me hesitant to recommend that my son pursue it if he doesn't get a scholarship (still waiting on the "K"s to post - I prefer to believe there IS an alphabetical component!!)

Suppose you live in Nebraska, and your son goes off to Minnesota on an AROTC scholarship. If, after the first year, he decides that he just hates the military and does not want to continue to pursue a commission, he can walk away; that's in the contract. Or, God forbid, the kid totally flakes in the college environment and fails out (it does happen, even to highly qualified kids from whom you would expect more maturity.) You can also return home, with your tail between your legs, but released from your contract.

However, as I understand it, once in SMP, you are enlisted in the USAR or National Guard. If you leave school, or quit ROTC, its "welcome to the motor pool, private." And what if, in the above scenario, you are participating in SMP as a member of the Minnesota Natl Guard. Do you return home to Nebraska, then travel back to MN once a month to drill? Besides that, majoring in engineering along with the additional demands of ROTC will be tough enough without having to drill once a month (unless I am wrong, I think even SMP'ers have to drill, don't they?)

Anyway, may actually be great, but too many of the details are just unknown to us at this point. Hopefully we won't have to learn them...

You are correct in your assumptions regarding SMP.

There are pluses and minuses to the program which you will need to talk with the ROO about and your son.

I do believe if they decide to stay in the reserves they can transfer to a reserve unit closer to home when they graduate. I would make sure about this.
 
you are participating in SMP as a member of the Minnesota Natl Guard. Do you return home to Nebraska, then travel back to MN once a month to drill?
You can transfer Natl Guard units between states. we were told it can take one - two months.

I think even SMP'ers have to drill, don't they?
Yes but ROTC weekend events come first.
 
However, as I understand it, once in SMP, you are enlisted in the USAR or National Guard. If you leave school, or quit ROTC, its "welcome to the motor pool, private."
Yes, if you have completed boot camp. Joining SMP requires the signing of an enlistment contract.
And what if, in the above scenario, you are participating in SMP as a member of the Minnesota Natl Guard. Do you return home to Nebraska, then travel back to MN once a month to drill?
Yep. In some circumstances missing drill can be approved. Don't forget, the Guard requires two weeks of 'camp' in the summer.

Besides that, majoring in engineering along with the additional demands of ROTC will be tough enough without having to drill once a month (unless I am wrong, I think even SMP'ers have to drill, don't they?)
Yes, they drill once a month. SMP should be viewed as a part time job.
When there is a conflict with ROTC, ROTC trumps - this might occur during a ROTC FTX weekend, for instance.
Whether or not the drill weekend needs to be made up is a decision made by the Guard unit commanding officer.

The decision to join the SMP program is not one to be made lightly. It's important to get all the facts and read the contracts. For the right person it can be a great program.
 
However, as I understand it, once in SMP, you are enlisted in the USAR or National Guard. If you leave school, or quit ROTC, its "welcome to the motor pool, private." .

Well technically the same can be said for ROTC scholarship cadets. If you fail to commision they can enlist you.
 
Well technically the same can be said for ROTC scholarship cadets. If you fail to commision they can enlist you.

As I recall Clarkson's previous blog article about "the contract," a cadet, even on scholarship, is not committed to additional military service until the beginning of the sophomore year. As such, there is no initial "enlistment" committment as there is for an SMP soldier. Again, not trying to slam SMP at all; for some kids it may be the best option, especially if they require the financial assistance in order to attend their school of choice. I just think the kids, and parents who advise them, need to go in with eyes wide open.
 
Hello, I'm currently a high school senior joining plenty of in waiting for the March Army ROTC board to release its results. In the event that I don't receive an offer, I'm curious about joining SMP National Guard at Rutgers. Can someone tell me how that works and what are the benefits of doing so and when can I join?

I am doing the SMP program at Rutgers University! I am picking this instead of the scholarship for many personal reasons. I leave for Infantry OSUT July 11, and get back in October. This means I am missing my first semester. I have already contacted Rutgers and everything is good to go. I want to be an infantry officer, so my thinking is I will be a better officer getting at least a little of the enlisted point of view. Also, the financial side is better with all the benefits I will recieve. The only part that scares me is the social factor of missing the first semester but I believe I will be alright in that regard. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.
 
SilverD....
Doing the exact same thing with BCT/AIT. Attending Eastern CT State Univ, and ROTC at UCONN. Infantry, leave for Fort Benning July 18. I figure if I can handle 14 weeks in Ga heat, I can handle making a few new friends in college.
Money is definitely better this way and end up in same place if not better, in 4 years. Good Luck
 
Check it out...you know what the best way for you to get Infantry is? GET GOOD GRADES! 40% of your OML score is your GPA. Have fun at OSUT, don't get hurt, and come back to campus ready to hit the books.
 
Check it out...you know what the best way for you to get Infantry is? GET GOOD GRADES! 40% of your OML score is your GPA. Have fun at OSUT, don't get hurt, and come back to campus ready to hit the books.

Clarkson,

Thank you for highlighting the importance of GPA.

I can't tell you how many cadets my son has said have started ROTC saying they joined ROTC to become an Infantry Officer, Pilot, or other branch, only to find out they are not guarenteed their branch unless of course they are in the top 10% Your first goal should be to commission as an Officer in the United States Army.

Remember, what your MOS is in the reserves or National Guard will have no impact at all on which branch you get when you commission. The only point of view you will have as an enlisted soldier will be from BCT and AIT.

Take his advise to heart, DON'T get hurt, you still have to be medically qualified before you commission. Come to school ready to hit the books. Don't rely of BCT to give you a huge advantage over other cadets. I read a post from someone a while back saying that by going to BCT they will be entering ROTC as a soldier not just a cadet, Trust me, when you get to school you will be a cadet first and at the bottom of the food chain regardless of BCT.

SMP is a great program....Just keep it in perspective. Budget your time well, once things get rolling there are not a lot of free weekends, as a SMP you will be losing one of those weekends every month. Keep ahead of your studies, if you want to be at the top of the list it will require a lot of extra work. Weekends can be used up fast catching up on assignments, papers, reading, and studying for exams, just remember you will have one less weekend to catch up every month so stay ahead of the game.

Good luck to all of you, there are a lot of new adventures ahead.
 
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Thanks guys. I completely agree with everything you just said and will put my studies first. I understand how some may think they are better for going to BCT and that some people may do it for different reasons. But not me, I am not that type of person I just feel that this route is best for me. It may not be for everyone, but it is what I think will be best for me. I will take into account everything you guys have stated, thank you.

And sember, that is cool to hear that someone else is doing this, I literally haven't found one other person missing their first semester. But I actually almost chose Uconn, it was between that or Rutgers. Good luck in your future and its a shame we don't have the same ship date, it would have been cool being with someone doing the same thing I am.
 
Hey guys I am going to be in ROTC at James Madison University in Virginia and I was wondering if anyone could help me with my financial situation. I know SMP pays up to 50k worth of student loans prior to joining the Guard but the only kind of fed loan I was offered was the "Parent PLUS" loan where basically my parents take on the debt. Does the SMP cover that as well or does it have to be my debt alone? If it can't be covered then I possibly cannot afford tuition so I'm kind of banking on SMP to pull through big time!
 
Check with your NG recruiter on what they will cover. I am doing NG and they cover full in state tuition. I will also be getting drill pay, stipends, kicker and eligible for GI Bill. I just don't want a ton of debt when i graduate and this is the best way to do it. I'll ROTC sophomore year.
 
Federal Loan

Hey guys I am going to be in ROTC at James Madison University in Virginia and I was wondering if anyone could help me with my financial situation. I know SMP pays up to 50k worth of student loans prior to joining the Guard but the only kind of fed loan I was offered was the "Parent PLUS" loan where basically my parents take on the debt. Does the SMP cover that as well or does it have to be my debt alone? If it can't be covered then I possibly cannot afford tuition so I'm kind of banking on SMP to pull through big time!

If you filed the FAFSA you would have been offered $5500 in federal loan, which isn't much but all that is allowed by law unless your parents can't pass the PLUS loan credit screen and then you can qualify for another $4000 in federal loan as a freshman. There are no other federal loans in the student name besides the Direct Loan. Probably not enough to fill the gap but wanted you to make sure you knew of these options.
 
The FAFSA is what is raising my concerns. I have just recieved the email telling me the amount of loand i was awarded and I know there was a cap on the amount but on the information I got which is specific to JMU it says I was awarded just over 21K based on the tuition costs there. The total is a combo od parent plus, subsidized direct, and unsub direct loans. If my parents have to start paying the Parent Plus while I'm in school and I cannot take part in SMP till sophomore year is there any way to inform the school of my Guard intentions so they hold payment or is that asking too much?
 
Ask for everything and explain everything. Most aide officers are very helpful. Get everything agreed to in writing. I am doing BCT and AIT this summer and will not get back until October. I am deferring my admission until 2nd semester. The loan money will also be held until then, but Grant money will probably be released to another student. Your parents can contact the Plus loan company and request not paying loan until after grad. They will grant it, but interest does continue to accrue. And be careful, the FAFSA awards show much of everything if you qualify. There is still an application process for the PLUS loan, and while they show on campus work program, it is not guaranteed.
 
Hey, I know this is old. But I just wanted to let you guys know I am also missing a semester to complete BCT and AIT at Fort Sill Oklahoma, I ship July 13. I will get back in November, and will start Army ROTC at the University of Georgia when I return. I know plenty of others who are doing this as well. Good Luck
 
As I told Sember, I know this is old, but I am also missing a semester to complete BCT and AIT at Fort Sill Oklahoma, I ship July 13. I will get back in November, and will start Army ROTC at the University of Georgia when I return. I know plenty of others who are doing this as well. Good Luck
 
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